Kenya women storm into Commonwealth Kabaddi semi-finals after crushing England

Kenya women storm into Commonwealth Kabaddi semi-finals after crushing England

The 76-point margin was the biggest in Kenya’s campaign so far, while their total of 82 points set the highest team score recorded at the championship.

Kenya’s women have sent a strong warning to their rivals at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship after producing a record-breaking performance to eliminate England’s hopes of challenging for the title.

The Kenyan side ran out 82-6 winners in their Group B encounter at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, India, on Monday, 26 October, securing their third straight victory and a place in Friday’s semi-finals.

The 76-point margin was the biggest in Kenya’s campaign so far, while their total of 82 points set the highest team score recorded at the championship.

Joy Vanessa Onyango was at the heart of the remarkable display, collecting 27 raid points as Kenya repeatedly broke through England’s defence.

Her contribution gave the team a powerful attacking edge, while a disciplined defensive effort ensured their opponents had little opportunity to respond.

Shabbie Yongo added six points, and Lavenda Odhiambo scored five. Defenders Stacy Karanja and Mary Oteki each claimed four tackle points as Kenya maintained control throughout the contest.

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England struggled to find a way past the Kenyan defence, managing only six points. Anisa Khan scored four, while Erin Nicholson contributed two.

Kenya also recorded eight all-outs, clearing England’s players from the mat on eight occasions and further extending their advantage.

The emphatic result followed another convincing performance against Scotland, whom Kenya defeated 61-16 to maintain their unbeaten record in the women’s competition.

Odhiambo was the leading scorer in that match with 16 points. Esther Omolo added nine, while Onyango collected six as Kenya dominated both ends of the court.

Kenya scored 37 raid points against Scotland’s 12 and registered 13 tackle points compared with their opponents’ four. They also forced eight all-outs, leaving Scotland unable to keep pace with the East Africans.

The results have demonstrated Kenya’s strength in both individual raiding and coordinated defence, with different players stepping forward to deliver when needed.